The Refresh Global 2026_written report shows encouraging progress in seafarer psychological health. Happiness increased from 5.01 to 5.17, stress fell from 15.6 to 14.1, and 88% of seafarers were classified as “all well”, compared with 87% in 2024.
These improvements are encouraging. Mental health, psychological safety and crew wellbeing have become increasingly important topics across maritime, and the findings suggest that efforts to support crew wellbeing are making a meaningful difference.
But while important progress has been made, there is still more work to do. 14% of seafarers experience psychological distress, with distress higher onboard than at home. Stress and psychological distress also increase with longer periods at sea, while wellbeing remains consistently better at home than onboard.
That is why the next step must be to strengthen a preventative approach to mental health. Support should not only begin when someone is already struggling. It should help seafarers build resilience, manage everyday pressures and access support early, while helping those who are doing well stay well. Re:fresh 2026 specifically points towards a shift from reactive coping to proactive prevention and wellbeing promotion.
This means continuing to address the conditions that influence mental health at sea, including workload, recovery, sleep, social connection and onboard culture, while making mental health support accessible and encouraging early help-seeking.
This Mental Health Awareness Day, let’s recognise the progress, but also protect it. Because improving mental health at sea is not only about supporting people when they struggle. It is about creating the conditions that help people stay well.